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Ryan Seacrest Announces That He Is Leaving “Live with Kelly and Ryan”

Ryan Seacrest announced this morning that he is stepping down from hosting Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years.

Seacrest, 48, will stay on the ABC show until the spring. He will be replaced by Ripa’s actor husband, Mark Consuelos.

Seacrest is moving to Los Angeles, where he will continue hosting American Idol and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.

He did not give any specific reason for his sudden departure on Thursday.

‘I made the decision to make this my last season on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Which is bittersweet,’ Seacrest said.

A somber Ripa – who has been the show’s mainstay since 2001 – clutched his arm and said she ‘understood his decision making fully.’

In a statement afterwards, Seacrest said: ‘Working alongside Kelly over the past six years has been a dream job and one of the highlights of my career.

‘She has been an amazing partner, friend, and confidant, and although we will always be a part of each other’s lives, I will miss our mornings together.

‘I also want to thank Michael Gelman and the entire staff and crew – we’ve made memories to last a lifetime, met some of the most incredible people and had the warmest welcome into the homes of so many viewers across America.

‘It’s been a memorable ride and now I’m excited to pass the baton to Kelly’s ‘real’ husband, Mark.’

Executive producer Michael Gelman said: ‘Goodbyes are never easy, but we look forward to welcoming Ryan back regularly with open arms.

‘As a fan-favorite guest host for years, Mark is no stranger to the ‘Live’ family.

‘Having him join the show is so special for us and we’re sure that viewers will feel the same.’

Seacrest joined the show in 2017 on a contract to host for three years. He stayed for six.

In an Instagram post shortly after the announcement, he said: ‘I’m going to miss my work wife and all the laughter we share.

‘When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was meant to be for 3 years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season.

‘I’ve been grateful to be able to share a cup of coffee with our viewers everyday, one of the best parts of the gig.’

Ripa is the mainstay of the show. She was first joined by Regis Philbin from 2001 to 2011, then Michael Strahan from 2012 until 2016.

She was blindsided by Strahan’s departure in 2016 and only learned of it when he announced it on-air.

Strahan left the show for a coveted seat on Good Morning America.

The show – the highest rated in daytime television – launched in 1983 as The Morning Show, with Regis Philbin hosting alongside Cyndy Garvey.

It rebranded as Live with Regis and Kathie Lee in 1988, with Kathie Lee Gifford replacing Ann Abernathy.

They hosted together 2000, when Lee Gifford quit amid a swathe of scandals surrounding her marriage.

Regis hosted solo for a year, then was joined by Ripa – a former actress – in 2001.

Live with Kelly and Mark, as it will be known, returns the show to its original concept – a husband and wife, drinking coffee on-air and casually discussing family issues.

Consuelos is best know for his roles in All My Children, where he met Ripa, and Riverdale.

He and Ripa have been married since 1996.

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